Installed onan 5500 evap

[Tim&paula]

I installed a Onan 5500 evap generator last week in my 2015 pinnacle. Jayco really did a great job with the prep. Everything worked perfectly. The hardest part was getting it in the compartment. I used a transmission jack with plywood attached as a base. Placed the generator on furniture slides and pushed it in. Worked out nice. The wiring was just plug and go on the controls and used wire nuts on the 120.

[Tim&paula]

Jack picture

[BigJohnD]

Nice install. I sure wish they'd offer a gas version in the non-toy hauler fifth wheels. Heck I wish they'd offer a generator (gas or lp) in the travel trailers. They used to way back when. There was actually a place near where we used to live that built custom stainless fuel tanks just for fifth wheels where a gas genset was desired. The LP generator has it's place and benefits, but also some downfalls. Biggest being getting fuel. If you don't use it much, then LP is great, however, we use ours a LOT. We have the more redneck style genset on our rig, but, runs the whole rig, residential fridge and all, all day on less than 4 gallons of fuel. We run it all day while in transit to wherever we're going. I couldn't do it with a LP, as I need the LP for other stuff.


Curious what you had to give for the Onan? I saw somebody mount one of those on the rear of a travel trailer. Really nice set up actually, just a lot more money than what I have tied up in mine.

[Hoojs12840]

I have the gas Onan in my 2016 Northpoint. So far it's run fine. I was not sure the gas version would be better, but the easy of refilling it and not needing to find propane at 2am is nice.

[BigJohnD]

Ok, guess I didn't get the memo. You can get a gas genset in a Northpoint? Where is the fuel tank and fill?

[Hoojs12840]

Yep. Mine was Gen. Prepped from the factory ( which is everything but the generator and exhaust tube) and I had the dealer add the generator.

Fuel tank is beside it, between the Battery trays and the generator.

[BigJohnD]

Well I'll be dern. It's about time. You used to see it a lot, and over the last decade or so it seemed everybody was doing LP only, unless you had the toy hauler. I learned something. Looking at the jayco site, it just says 5500 watt generator, so I guess you could get either. If you ever get bored and feel like snapping a photo, I'd love to see the fuel tank and generator set up.

[Tim&paula]

I got the generator from Colorado standby. They were great to deal with. Ask to speak with Brad or Wendy. He was very helpful. Super fast shipping and best price. I think it was $3775.00. Saved a ton vs letting the dealer install.

[BigJohnD]

In that picture, exhaust is run out under the overhang. That's kind of a big no no. Should be run out the side, and clear of a slide out. Pretty much why you see the toy haulers run back then out the side. We dealt with the dos and don'ts of the exhaust when rerouting one on a class A.

[Hoojs12840]

Still have room for three battery's and a whole shelve to store the sewer hose connections and hose for the black tank flush



If you ever want to know if a Jayco has the prep for a gas generator look at the front storage, you will see the unleaded only sign.

[Tim&paula]

Where did the dealer run your exhaust?

[BigJohnD]

That's what I was wondering. I see yall's is out the front, which is not normal, and don't see the exhaust on the other, but figure it's out to the off door / driver's side just aft of the bedroom slide.


Nothing to rerouting the pipe. I did mine on an Onan 7500. Was just warned to keep it clear of under the slides.

[Hoojs12840]

Here's how the dealer ran mine. I think the elbows a little low. Will probably get that cut shorter.

[Tim&paula]

Originally Posted by Hoojs12840

Here's how the dealer ran mine. I think the elbows a little low. Will probably get that cut shorter.
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Changed my exhaust today to look like yours. Going to run it several hours today with the slides open and see if the detector picks anything up. Thanks for your help. I always heard people say these generators are noisy but it is very quiet. Just as quiet as a Honda.

[Hoojs12840]

No problem. Ours is on par with our Honda 3000eu as far as sound. I thinks it quieter than the furnace.

[edatlanta]

An earlier post said they were glad Jayco started offering gas generators on fifth wheels. I didn't know they had stopped as my 2010 Designer has a gas Onan 5500.

Works great, 10 gallon fuel tank and a it over 300 hours on it so far.

The exhaust exits out the driver's side just behind the bed slide. It does have a metal heat shield between the exhaust and the underside of trailer.

[BigJohnD]

I had mentioned the no gas option. Keep in mind this is my first Jayco outfit, and beings I hadn't owned a Jayco fifth wheel, I didn't know this. Others only offer the LP option (unless a toy hauler), or at least that was the only option on our 2007 and 2014 fifth wheels. It doesn't say what it is on the option list I saw. Just that it's a generator. Guess I shouldn't assume too much. Just glad it's an option. I have opted out of the generators both times we had fifth wheels (though it was tempting), due to needing the cargo capacity for full timing. We were within 400 Lbs of max gross weight on the more recent rig. Too close to throw a generator in for me. Opted for the Hondas instead back then, and they road in the cargo trailer behind another vehicle. I'd have to do some serious rearranging or weight reduction to allow for the genset if we pursue full timing again, which is in the talks now.

[Jamie846]

Originally Posted by Tim&paula

I installed a Onan 5500 evap generator last week in my 2015 pinnacle. Jayco really did a great job with the prep. Everything worked perfectly. The hardest part was getting it in the compartment. I used a transmission jack with plywood attached as a base. Placed the generator on furniture slides and pushed it in. Worked out nice. The wiring was just plug and go on the controls and used wire nuts on the 120.

Tim&Paula-
I am about to install 7kw Onan and had a question in regards to your install. Did you cut the plywood on the bottom for cooling air to exhaust? If so did you cut a opening for the intake as well. Thanks for the help.

[Tim&paula]

The plywood floor needs to be removed. The metal frame that is under it lines up perfectly with the onan generator and is then attached to the frame.

[Jamie846]

Originally Posted by Tim&paula

The plywood floor needs to be removed. The metal frame that is under it lines up perfectly with the onan generator and is then attached to the frame.

Thanks for the info, didn't know if the generator would line up with metal frame correctly or not. We have the Gen prep option, so sounds like the install is going to be pretty easy.